64 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



Wagtail from those of the White Wagtail : the latter 

 species, however, breeds very locally and sparingly in 

 our islands. Nor is it possible always to distinguish 

 them from those of the House Sparrow. The situation of 

 the nest (failing a sight of the parents) is the best guide 

 to their identification. 



Family MOTACILLID/E. Genus Motacilla. 



WHITE WAGTAIL. 



Motacilla alba, Linntciis. 

 Double Brooded. Laying season, April to June. 



British breeding area : Although the White 

 Wagtail breeds commonly enough in France, Holland, 

 and Belgium, on our side of the English Channel it is a 

 rare and local bird, its place being taken by the well- 

 known and widely-distributed Pied Wagtail. Instances 

 of its breeding in our islands are, however, on record, 

 and doubtless it may nest more frequently than is 

 suspected. Has been met with breeding in Middlesex, 

 Devonshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Huntingdonshire, 

 and Cambridgeshire ; and interbreeding with the Pied 

 Wagtail in Norfolk and Suffolk. 



Breeding habits : So far as is known the White 

 Wagtail does not differ in its habits, or in the localities 

 it frequents, from the Pied Wagtail. Its nest is made 

 of similar materials to those used by the commoner 

 species, and is placed in much the same situations. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the White Wagtail are from five to six 



